Connectorized Probe for Transesophageal Echocardiography

ABSTRACT

A connectorized ultrasound probe includes a distal section that is configured for insertion into a patient&#39;s body and a proximal section configured to interface the distal section with an ultrasound system. The distal section is easily attachable and detachable from the proximal section using at least one set of connectors. When connected, a user-operated actuator located on the proximal section controls the bending of the distal section, and the ultrasound system sends driving signals to and receives return signals from the ultrasound transducer via the proximal section. This arrangement is particularly advantageous for long term monitoring, because the disconnectability of the proximal section makes it possible to leave the distal section in place in the patient for longer periods of time without undue discomfort. In some preferred embodiments, the mechanical interface is made before the electrical interface when the distal section is connected to the proximal section.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/268,571, filed Nov. 11, 2008, which (a) claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application 60/987,081, filed Nov. 11, 2007 and (b) is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/279,510,filed Apr. 12, 2006, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication 60/671,808, filed Apr. 15, 2005. Each of those applicationsis incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

U.S. application Ser. No. 10/996,816, filed Nov. 24, 2004, which isincorporated herein by reference, describes a unique ultrasound probe,transducer, and associated algorithm. The probe disclosed in the '816application is significantly narrower than prior art devices, and can beleft in place for extended periods of time. The primary intended use ofthat probe is for monitoring of the heart using echocardiography. FIG. 1is a schematic representation of that probe 100. The probe has aflexible shaft 112 affixed to the end of an endoscope style controlhandle 104, and the distal end 116 of the probe 100 contains theultrasound transducer 118. To use the probe, the distal end 116 ismanipulated into position in the esophagus, and a bending mechanism isthen actuated using actuator 102, which causes the bending section 114of the probe to bend. In the context of echocardiography, this bendingaction is used to position the ultrasound transducer 118 in the fundusof the stomach to obtain an image of the transgastric short axis view ofthe heart. The handle 104 is connected to a connector 42 on theultrasound system 40 via a cable 106 that terminates at a connector 108.

In the setting of an intensive care unit (ICU), patients are oftenmaintained in a quiescent state for both the well-being of the patientand to facilitate the monitoring of various physiological functions.Leaving the probe 100 in place for extended periods of time, however,can create difficulties in common situations when the patient must bemoved. (Examples of such situations include moving the patient to cleanhim or her, to prevent pressure sores, or to perform routineprocedures.) If the probe 100 is kept in the patient while the probe ishooked up to the ultrasound system 40, moving the patient could beextremely difficult.

One solution to this problem is to detach the probe 100 from theultrasound system 40 by disconnecting the probe's connector 108 from theultrasound system's connector 42 before the patient is moved, to leavethose portions of the probe that remain outside the patient's body102-108 resting on a tray or a hook. However, since the handle 104 andassociated cable portions 106 of the transesophageal echo (TEE) probethat remain attached to the patient are relatively large and heavy, thissolution is somewhat clumsy, and requires an extra degree of awarenessfrom the attendants so as to not dislodge the device or cause otherproblems due to paying too much attention to the device.

SUMMARY

A connectorized ultrasound probe includes a distal section that isconfigured for insertion into a patient's body and a proximal sectionconfigured to interface the distal section with an ultrasound system.The distal section is easily attachable and detachable from the proximalsection using at least one set of connectors. When connected, auser-operated actuator located on the proximal section controls thebending of the distal section via the connectors, and the ultrasoundsystem sends driving signals to and receives return signals from theultrasound transducer via the proximal section. In some preferredembodiments, the mechanical interface is made before the electricalinterface when the distal section is connected to the proximal section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the transesophagealechocardiography ultrasound probe disclosed in the '816 application.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of animproved ultrasound probe for transesophageal echocardiography inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an implementation of the ultrasound probeof FIG. 2, with a transducer assembly connected to a matching actuatorassembly.

FIG. 4 is a first detailed view of the interface between the transducerassembly and the actuator assembly of the FIG. 3 embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the interface portion of the actuatorassembly of the FIG. 3 embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the interface portion of the transducerassembly of the FIG. 3 embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows the internal components of the transducer assembly of FIG.6, with the lid removed.

FIG. 8 shows the transducer assembly of FIG. 6, with certain componentsremoved to make the lower components visible.

FIG. 9 shows the electrical and mechanical interactions between thetransducer assembly and the actuator assembly when those two assembliesare mated together.

FIG. 10 is another embodiment of an improved ultrasound probe fortransesophageal echocardiography in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 is a detail of the mechanical connection on the actuatorassembly side of the probe of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a detail of the mechanical connection on the transducerassembly side of the probe of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13A shows an alternative output actuator mated with an alternativecontrol actuator, for use with the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3-9.

FIG. 13B is a detail of the alternative output actuator of FIG. 13A.

FIG. 13C is a detail of the alternative control actuator of FIG. 13A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The drawbacks associated with a large handle and cabling that remainsconnected to the patient while the probe is in the patient's esophaguscan be avoided or minimized by using a connectorized probe, with adistal portion that remains installed in the patient, and a detachablehandle portion that interfaces with the distal portion. The connectorpasses both mechanical and electrical signals between the two portions.Optionally, the distal portion may be disposable, in which case it ispreferable to reduce the cost of the distal portion. Because it is notdisposable, the cost of the handle portion is less critical.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the invention,with a probe that includes an actuator assembly 80 and a transducerassembly 60. The actuator assembly 80 includes a control handle 84 withan actuator 82. The handle 84 is connected to a connector 42 on theultrasound system 40 via a cable 86 that terminates at a connector 88.The transducer assembly 60 has a flexible shaft 62 affixed to the end ofa connector 70, and the distal end 66 of the probe contains theultrasound transducer 68. To use the probe, the actuator assembly 80 andthe transducer assembly 60 are connected together by mating the firstconnector 90 with the second connector 70. The distal end 68 is thenmanipulated into position in the esophagus. The transducer assembly 60includes a bending mechanism that is actuatable by the actuator 82 whenthe actuator assembly 80 and the transducer assembly 60 are connectedtogether. This causes the bending section 64 of the probe to bend toprovide an end result that is similar to the bending achieved in theunitary probe described above in connection with FIG. 1.

Now, when it becomes necessary to move the patient, the transducerassembly 60 is disconnected from the actuator assembly 80 at theconnectors 70, 90, so that the only parts that remain protruding fromthe patient will be the proximal end of the shaft 62 and the connector70. Since those portions are relatively small and light compared to thehandle 104 and cable 106 of the probe 100 depicted in FIG. 1, it becomesmuch easier to leave the distal end of the probe in the patient when thepatient has to be moved or cared for.

FIG. 3 depicts a preferred implementation of the FIG. 2 embodiment, withthe transducer assembly 60 mounted to the actuator assembly 80. Thetransducer assembly 60 include includes a flexible shaft 62 (shown witha break to denote its long length) that has a bending section 64. Theshaft 62 is preferably less than 6 mm in diameter, and preferably on theorder of 1 m in length for an adult version of the device. Thosedimensions may be scaled down appropriately for pediatric and neonatalpatients. The distal end 66 of the transducer assembly 60 houses theultrasound transducer which is preferably transversely oriented withrespect to the proximal distal axis. In alternative embodiments, othertransducer configurations may be used in place of the transverselyoriented transducer (e.g., a two-dimensional ultrasound transducer or arotating multi-plane transducer). The actuator assembly 80 includes ahandle 84 with a user-operated actuator 82 mounted on the handle. Acable 86 with a connector 88 at its proximal end (both shown in FIG. 2)extends from the proximal end of the handle 84. This connector 88 mateswith a corresponding connector 42 on the ultrasound system 40 (all shownin FIG. 2).

FIG. 4 is an exploded detail view of the interface between the actuatorassembly 80 and the transducer assembly 60. The actuator assembly 80includes a first connector 90 that interfaces with the transducerassembly 60, and the transducer assembly 60 includes a second connector70 that interfaces with the actuator assembly 80. The first connector 90includes a first electrical interface 94, which is used to makeelectrical connect with a mating connector (not shown) on the secondconnector 70. In the illustrated embodiment, the first electricalinterface 94 comprises a series of conductive pads, which are preferablygold plated. The pads may be flat or raised. Preferably, the firstconnector is constructed to be watertight so that the first connectorcan be immersed in a liquid sterilant (e.g., Cidex glutaraldehyde,peroxide sterilants, etc.), and using simple, stationary pads helpsachieve the desired watertightness, which facilitates re-use of theactuator assembly 80 for multiple patients. When the second connector 70is mated to the first connector 90, corresponding contacts on the secondconnector 70 line up with the contacts of the first electrical interface94 so that electrical signals can pass between the actuator assembly 80and the transducer assembly 60.

The ultrasound system 40 communicates with the ultrasound transducer 68(both shown in FIG. 2) by sending and receiving appropriate signals intothe actuator assembly 80 via the connector 42, the connector 88, and thecable 86 (all shown in FIG. 2). The signals that travel through thecable 86 are routed to the first electrical interface 94 on the firstconnector 90 e.g., by running appropriately shielded wires from thedistal end of the cable 86 directly to the first electrical interface94. Optionally, appropriate intervening circuitry (e.g., amplifiers,signal conditioners, etc.) may be interposed between the firstelectrical interface 94 and the cable 86. The remainder of the path tothe transducer is described below in connection with the transducerassembly 60.

The first connector 90 also includes an output actuator 92 that isdesigned to mate with a corresponding member on the second connector 70when the second connector 70 is connected to the first connector 90. Theoutput actuator 92 is linked to the user-operated actuator 82 by anappropriate mechanism such that the output actuator moves in response touser actuation of the user-operated actuator 82. The link between theuser-operated actuator 82 and the output actuator 92 may be implementedusing any of a variety of conventional techniques, including but notlimited to gears, pull wires, servo motors, stepper motors, hydraulics,as well as numerous other techniques that will be apparent to personsskilled in the relevant arts. The output actuator 92 and theuser-operated actuator 82 are preferably also made using a watertightconstruction (e.g., using O rings or other sealing techniques) tofacilitate liquid sterilization of the actuator assembly 80.

FIG. 5 shows the first connector 90 in even greater detail. As explainedabove, the output actuator 92 rotates in response to actuations of theuser-operated actuator 82. The surface of the output actuator 92 ispreferably made of a material that will have a high coefficient offriction when it is pressed against a corresponding member in the secondconnector 70. Examples of suitable materials for the output actuatorinclude rubber, polyethylene, polystyrene, vinyl, etc. Optionally, aplurality of radial grooves may be cut into the surface of the outputactuator 92 to help the output actuator 92 better “grab” thecorresponding surface on the second connector 70.

As best seen in this view, the first connector 90 includes a number ofmounting members for latching the first connector onto the secondconnector. Although the illustrated embodiment depict mounting membersin the form of a pair of small tabs 97 at the distal end and a largertab 96, persons skilled in relevant arts will recognize that any of awide variety of conventional latching mechanism may be used.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the second connector 70. The second connector70 is configured to mate with the first connector 90. To do this, thesecond connector 70 contains a second electrical interface 74 that linesup the first electrical interface 94 of the first connector 90. In theillustrated embodiment, the second electrical interface 74 is made usinga plurality of spring loaded fingers positioned so that, when the secondconnector 70 is connected to the first connector 90, the fingers of thesecond electrical interface 74 will line up with the pads of the firstelectrical interface 94 (shown in FIGS. 4, 5). The second connector 70also contains a control actuator 72 that lines up the output actuator 92of the first connector 90, so that the output actuator 92 can drive thecontrol actuator 72. In the illustrated embodiment, the control actuator72 is a rotating wheel that is designed to be driven by rotation of theoutput actuator 92. Of course, a wide variety of alternativearrangements for actuating alternative control actuators will be readilyapparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts. Note that when thetransducer assembly 60 is disposable and will be discarded after eachuse, it is not necessary to make the second connector 70 watertight.

To connect the first and second connectors, the second connector 70 isattached to the first connector 90 by aligning the notches 77 of thesecond connector 70 with tabs 97 of the first connector 90, thensqueezing the proximal end of second connector 70 towards the firstconnector 90. The latching arm 76 on the second connector 70 is designedto snap into position on the first connector by interacting with tab 96(shown in FIG. 5). When the first connector 70 is attached to the firstconnector 90 in this manner, the second electrical interface 74 of thesecond connector 70 makes electrical contact with the first electricalinterface 94 of the first connector 90, so that electrical signals cantravel back and forth between the first electrical interface 94 and thesecond electrical interface 74. In addition, the control actuator 72makes mechanical contact with the output actuator 92 of the firstconnector 90, so that when the output actuator 92 is rotated in responseto operation of the user operated actuator 82 (shown in FIG. 4) thecontrol actuator 72 will be driven by the output actuator 92 and followthe rotation of the output actuator 92. A lid 79 protects the internalcomponents of the second connector 70 from damage, and has cutouts toprovide access to the second electrical interface 74 and the controlactuator 72. Note that while FIGS. 4-9 depict first and secondelectrical interfaces 94, 74 using pads and fingers designed to contactthe pads, numerous alternative electrical interfaces (e.g., pins andmating sockets) may be substituted therefor, as will be appreciated bypersons skilled in the relevant arts.

FIG. 7 is another view of the second connector 70 shown in FIG. 6, withthe lid 79 removed. This view reveals that the rotating control actuator72 is attached to a pulley 73 that causes the pull wires 65 to move whenthe control actuator 72 is rotated. This view also shows a portion ofthe ribbon cable 61, which is the wiring that connects the secondelectrical interface 74 to the transducer 68 (shown in FIG. 2) at thedistal end 66 of the transducer assembly 60. Preferably, a ground planeis provided on both sides of the ribbon cable. In less preferredembodiments one or both of those ground planes may be omitted, or wiringconfigurations other than ribbon cable may be used. Optionally,appropriate intervening circuitry (e.g., amplifiers, signalconditioners, etc.) may be interposed between the second electricalinterface 74 and the transducer 68.

FIG. 8 shows yet another view of the second connector 70 of FIGS. 6 and7, but with the lid 79, the second electrical interface 74, the wiring61, the control actuator 72, and the pulley's axle all removed to showthe lower components of the second connector 70. This view more clearlyshows how the pulley 73 moves the pull wires 65, which extend outdistally through the shaft 62. When the pull wires 65 move (in responseto rotation of the pulley), the pull wires operate the bending section64 (shown in FIG. 3) in any conventional manner. Since the pull wires 65cause the bending section 64 to bend, and the pull wires 65 are moved byrotation of the pulley 73, and rotation of the pulley 73 occurs inresponse to rotation of the control actuator 72 (shown in FIGS. 6 and7), the net result is that rotation of the control actuator 72 causesthe bending section 64 to bend.

FIG. 9 shows the electrical and mechanical interactions between thefirst connector 90 and the second connector 70 when those connectors aremated together. This view depicts the mated set of connectors 90, 70would look if the outside housing of the second connector 70 wereinvisible. The second electrical interface 74 is lined up with and urgedagainst the first electrical interface 94, and the control actuator 72on the second connector 70 is lined up with and urged against the outputactuator 92 on the first connector 90. A pulley mount 75 permits thepulley 73 to rotate and urges the control actuator 72 against the outputactuator 92 when the first connector 90 and second connector 70 aremated. The ribbon cable 61 that connects the second electrical interface74 to the transducer 68 (shown in FIG. 2) at the distal end 66 of thetransducer assembly 60 is also more clearly visible in this view.

When the second connector 70 is mated with the first connector 90,actuation of the user operated actuator 82 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) willcause the output actuator 92 to rotate. Since the control actuator 72 isbeing urged up against the output actuator 92, the control actuator 72will follow the rotation of the output actuator 92. Rotation of thecontrol actuator 72 turns the pulley 73 which operates the pull wires 65that extend distally through the flexible shaft 62, and cause a bendingmechanism (not shown) located in the bending section (shown in FIG. 3)to bend. Thus, when the second connector 70 is mated to the firstconnector 90, actuation of the user operated actuator 82 by the userwill have the same net effect of actuations of the user operatedactuator 102 of the unitary probe 100 depicted in FIG. 1. Note thatwhile FIGS. 4-9 depict using rotating pads for the output actuator 92and the control actuator 72 pads, numerous alternative mechanicalinterfaces (e.g., gears, a hexagonal shaft and a mating socket, etc.)may be substituted therefore, as will be appreciated by persons skilledin the relevant arts.

In addition, when the second connector 70 is mated with the firstconnector 90, the second electrical interface 74 makes contact with thefirst electrical connector 94. Since the first electrical connector 94communicates with the ultrasound system 40 via cable 86 and connectors88, 42 (all shown in FIG. 2), and Since the wiring 61 connects thesecond electrical interface 74 to the transducer 68 at the distal end 66of the transducer assembly 60 (shown in FIGS. 2, 3) this arrangementpermits the ultrasound system 40 to interface with the transducer 68 inthe same way that the ultrasound system 40 communicates with thetransducer 118 in the unitary probe 100 depicted in FIG. 1. Optionally,additional signals may be passed to and from the transducer assembly 60via the first and second connectors 90, 70, e.g., to operate athermistor located in the distal end of the transducer assembly 60 or tointerface with a non-volatile memory device located in the transducerassembly 60 (used, e.g., to store data relating to the transducerassembly 60).

As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 9, the electrical and mechanical interfacebetween the transducer assembly 60 and the actuator assembly 80 issideways-facing (i.e., the mating surfaces of the first and secondconnectors 90, 70 face in a direction that is roughly perpendicular tothe proximal-distal axis). This arrangement stands in contrast to thesituation where one mating surface faces distally, and the other matingsurface faces proximally (like the interface between the connectors 12,22 in the FIG. 10 embodiment described below). Using a sideways-facinginterface advantageously provides a large amount of “real estate” (i.e.,area) for implementing the electrical and mechanical connections betweenthe two assemblies. Moreover, despite the fact that a large amount ofreal estate is available for the interface, the overall diameter of theassemblies 60, 80 when connected can remain small (e.g., about 22 mm,measured at the proximal end of second connector 70 in the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 3-9), and does not have to increase in proportionto the number of connections that are made between the first and secondconnectors 90, 70.

FIGS. 13A-C show details of an alternative output actuator 192 that isdesigned to mate with an alternative control actuator 172, for use inplace of the output actuator 92 and control actuator 72 discussed abovein connection with the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3-9. The operation ofthe output actuator 192 and control actuator 172 is similar to theoperation of the output actuator 92 and control actuator 72, exceptinstead of relying on friction to transmit rotation between the face ofthe output actuator 92 and the face of the control actuator 72, theoutput actuator 192 and control actuator 172 rely on a mating mechanicalinterface that is designed to transmit rotation. In the illustratedembodiment, this mating mechanical interface comprises a slot 193 inoutput actuator 192, and a matching tab 173 in the control actuator 172,however persons skilled in the relevant arts will appreciate thatnumerous other mating configurations can be substituted therefor.

With this arrangement, the rotating mechanical components 172, 192 startto mate before the first connector 90 and the second connector 70 are“clicked” together, and electrical connection between the firstelectrical interface 94 and the second electrical interface 74 (shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, respectively) is not made until a bit later, when thefirst connector 90 and the second connector 70 are “clicked” together.This arrangement provides better tactile feedback to the user for boththe mechanical and electrical connections than in embodiments in whichthose two connections are made at the same time.

Preferably, the outer edges of the slot 193 are chamfered to help guidethe tab 173 into position. Note that if the tab 173 does not line upwith the slot 193 when the user initially attempts to mate the firstconnector 90 to the second connector 70, the user can actuate the thumbactuator 82 (show in FIG. 4) until the slot 193 in the output actuator192 rotates to a position that aligns with the tab 173, and thensubsequently click the two connectors 70, 90 together. Since the twosections will only fit together when the slot 193 is aligned with thetab 173, this arrangement forces a predetermined relationship betweenthe thumb actuator 82 actuator and the bending section 64. For example,leaving the thumb actuator 82 in the middle results in no bending;pushing the thumb actuator 82 causes the bending section 64 toretroflex; and pulling back on the thumb actuator 82 causes the bendingsection 64 to anteflex.

FIG. 10 is another embodiment of the invention in which the insertiontube and acoustic block assembly (referred to above as the transducerassembly) are separable from the control handle (referred to above asthe actuator assembly). In this embodiment, a durable handle 10 isconnected to the transducer assembly 20. A connector 12 at the distalend of the handle 10 mates with a corresponding connector 22 at theproximal end of the transducer assembly 20. FIG. 11 shows a detail ofthe latching arm 15 of the handle portion 10, and FIG. 12 shows a detailof the connector portion 22 of the transducer assembly 20.

Referring now to FIGS. 10-12, the connectors 12, 22 provide a detachableelectrical interface to get all the necessary electrical signal to thedistal end of the probe, and to receive return signals from the distalend of the probe. For example, the electrical connections may be used topass signals used for generation of ultrasound at the ultrasoundtransducer 24, return of electrical signals from the transducer, groundand shielding planes, and any other electrical functions that areimplemented at the distal end (e.g., connections to a non-volatilememory device may be integrated into the transducer assembly).

The connector 22 and the arm 15 also provide a detachable mechanicalinterface to actuate controllable portions at or near the distal end ofthe probe. An example of a desirable mechanical motion is flexing of thetip of the probe, which may be useful after the probe has beenpositioned in the fundus of the stomach. In the illustrated embodiment,the mechanical interface is implemented using pull wires that areconnected to the distal end of the probe, where they initiate thedesired motion (e.g., flexing of the probe tip). The mechanism thatresponds to the pull wires at the distal end of the probe may beimplemented in any conventional manner. At the proximal end of thetransducer assembly 20, the pull wires terminate in sliders 28 with afemale hole.

To use the probe, the connector 22 is mated with the correspondingconnector 12 of the handle, and the latching arm 15 is moved intoposition so that its pins 18 are mated into the sliders 28 of thetransducer assembly 20. The latching arm may include a catch 16 to holdthe transducer assembly 20 to the handle portion 10. The slides 18 areconnected to each other via flexible cabling 17 which traverses a pulley19 at the distal end of the latching arm 15. This configuration helpsinsure that articulation control cable stays taut within the handle anddoes not require the use of springs to take up slack.

The handle 10 includes a control surface 18 which may be implemented inany conventional way e.g., using pull wires. However, instead of havingthe pull wires go directly to the distal end of the probe, the pullwires the handle move the sliders 18 in the arm 15. Those sliders 18 inturn move the sliders 28, which move the pull wires 27 that run throughthe lumen of the transducer assembly 20 to generate the desired motionat the distal end of the probe. The result is a distal articulationmechanism that passes through a connector.

One suitable way to implement the electrical connection between theconnectors 12, 22 is to use a flexible printed circuit board (PCB)similar to the type used in ink jet cartridge connectors. The reverseside of this flexible PCB has traces which are pulled out and connectedto the appropriate cabling. Optionally, a chip with non-volatile memorymay also be mounted on the flexible PCB. A suitable mating connector forthis interface is a “pogo pin” type interface with pins mounted in ablock (not shown), as commonly used in electronic testing apparatus.

Optionally, the actuator assembly in any of the embodiments describedabove may incorporate other actuatable features in addition to the basicarticulation controls for manipulating the distal end of the insertiontube and transducer. For example, other mechanical connections besidesthe bending controls discussed above may be implemented, e.g., totransfer torque to the distal end of the probe. Controls fornon-mechanical features may also be implemented on the handle, e.g.,buttons for freezing the image, adjusting gain control or otherfunctions. Optionally, the mechanical and electrical connections may beconfigured to be water-tight.

In all the above-described embodiments, when the transducer assembly isconnected to the actuator assembly via the connector or connectors, thecombination of the transducer assembly with the actuator assemblyemulates both the electrical and mechanical operation of a conventionalultrasound probe. However, with the embodiments described above inconnection with FIGS. 2-12, the doctor gains the ability to disconnectthe actuator assembly from the transducer assembly, and leave therelatively compact distal transducer assembly section in position in thepatient's esophagus. When this is done, only the connector 70, 22 and aportion of the flexible shaft 62, 20 will remain attached to thepatient's body, and the handle, the actuator, and the cable that linksthe handle to the ultrasound system are disconnected from the patient.Since the hardware that stays attached to the patient's is smaller andlighter, it becomes much easier to move the patient around and to attendto the patient's needs, and is much less cumbersome as compared to theFIG. 1 embodiment in which the handle 104 and cable 106 stay attached tothe patient as long as the transducer remains in position in thepatient's esophagus. Preferably, the transducer assembly is configuredso that the portion of the transducer assembly that remains outside ofthe patient's body is compact and has a mass of 250 g or less and alength of 70 cm or less.

Reducing the amount of hardware that is attached to the patient's isparticularly advantageous for long term transesophageal ultrasoundimaging, e.g., in situations where the probe remains installed in thepatient for hours or days at a time. These advantages become even moreimportant if the patient is awake or is not anesthetized, in whichpatient comfort becomes an even more important factor.

Advantages of the above-described embodiments include the fact that thedevice can be placed and left in-situ without causing problems withexcessive bulk or cabling. In addition, by making the handle/actuatorassembly separable from the transducer assembly, the transducer assemblymay be made disposable and the handle may be made durable and reusable.This allows a less expensive disposable than would be possible if theentire probe were made disposable. It also allows the handle to be madeto a higher standard than possible if the handle was also disposable,which may improve the tactile feedback to the user and ease of use.

While the above-described embodiments are discussed in the context oftransesophageal echocardiography, similar probes may be used to obtainother transesophageal images as well as to obtain ultrasound images incavities other than the esophagus. The connectorized construction mayalso be incorporated into probes, endoscopes, or catheters innon-ultrasound medical applications, and may even be used in non-medicaluses where it is desirable to disconnect a proximal section whileleaving the distal section in place. Numerous other modifications to theabove-described embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in therelevant arts, and are also included within the purview of theinvention.

1. A connectorized ultrasound probe comprising: a compact first sectionhaving a distal end that is configured for insertion into a patient'sbody, with an ultrasound transducer located in the distal end; and asecond section configured to interface the first section with anultrasound system, wherein the first section is easily attachable anddetachable from the second section using at least one set of connectors,wherein the second section includes at least one user-operated actuator,and the first and second sections are configured so that, when the firstsection is attached to the second section, actuation of theuser-operated actuator causes the first section to bend, and wherein thefirst and second sections are configured so that, when the first sectionis attached to the second section, (a) the ultrasound system can drivethe ultrasound transducer by sending drive signals into the firstsection via the second section and (b) the ultrasound transducer in thefirst section can send return signals to the ultrasound system via thesecond section.
 2. The ultrasound probe of claim 1, wherein the firstsection is dimensioned for performing transesophageal echocardiographyand the transducer is transversely oriented with respect to aproximal-distal direction axis of the first section.
 3. The ultrasoundprobe of claim 1, wherein the first section is dimensioned forperforming transesophageal echocardiography and the transducer comprisesa two-dimensional array of elements.
 4. The ultrasound probe of claim 1,wherein the first section is configured so that when the first sectionis inserted into the esophagus of a patient with the ultrasoundtransducer positioned in the fundus of the stomach, the portion of thefirst section that remains outside of the patient's body isnon-cumbersome for long term use.
 5. The ultrasound probe of claim 1,wherein the first section is configured so that when the first sectionis inserted into the esophagus of a patient with the ultrasoundtransducer positioned in the fundus of the stomach, the portion of thefirst section that remains outside of the patient's body has a mass of250 g or less.
 6. The ultrasound probe of claim 1, wherein the firstsection is configured so that when the first section is inserted intothe esophagus of a patient with the ultrasound transducer positioned inthe fundus of the stomach, the portion of the first section that remainsoutside of the patient's body has a length of 70 cm or less.